Fire & Life Safety
The University of Houston Fire Marshal's Office ensures that all buildings and activities meet Fire and Life Safety Codes as adopted.
The University of Houston Fire Marshal's Office consists of the following individuals:
Chris McDonald – Executive Director Fire and Life Safety/Fire Marshal #701
After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Chris started his firefighting career with the El Paso, Texas Fire Department in 1989. His assignments included: firefighter/EMT, Driver, Inspector, Juvenile Fire Setter Program Coordinator, Arson Investigator, Fire Academy Instructor, Field Training Officer, Lieutenant, and Captain. After he retired from El Paso, he joined the University of Houston Fire Marshal’s Office as a Deputy Fire Marshal and quickly moved up the ranks to Assistant Fire Marshal and then Fire Marshal. Chris is a state-certified Firefighter, Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, Instructor, Skills Examiner, and Head of Department – Prevention. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and is a Fire Executive Management Training program graduate at Sam Houston State University.
Sharon Pellas – Program Manager II
Sharon is a native Houstonian who graduated from the University of Houston in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English Literature. Her career at the University of Houston started in 2007 as a college work-study with the Department of Public Safety. In 2011, Sharon joined as a full-time staff member and has since been promoted several times within the University of Houston. Currently, she is the Program Manager II for Campus Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, and the Office of Fire Life Safety. Sharon is a proud Staff Council Representative for Administration and Finance, as well. Sharon volunteers a lot for campus events as part of her Staff Council role, including events such as Cougar First Impressions.
Marcus Hicks – Assistant Fire Marshal #702
Marcus has worked for the Houston Fire Department for 34 years. He has 26 years of experience working in the Life Safety Bureau with 18 of those as a Senior Inspector. Marcus holds several state certifications including Master Certified Firefighter, Master Certified Inspector, Basic Fire Investigator, and Plans Examiner 1. He has an associate degree in Fire Technology from Houston Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Education from Sam Houston State University, and an Executive Master's degree in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. Marcus Joined the University of Houston as a Deputy Fire Marshal in 2021.
Philip Rey – Assistant Fire Marshal - Sugar Land/Katy
Philip has over 16 years of experience in Fire and Emergency Services, beginning his career as a Volunteer Firefighter in 2008. He has worked as an Advanced EMT, Emergency Dispatcher, and Firefighter. While at Doña Ana County Fire Rescue in Las Cruces, New Mexico, he held various roles, including Hazardous Materials Technician, Driver Operator, and Captain-Fire Prevention Specialist. In this capacity, he worked as a Fire Inspector, Investigator, and Plans Examiner.
In 2023, he joined the University of Houston Fire Marshal’s Office as a Deputy Fire Marshal and was promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal - Sugar Land/Katy in December 2024. He holds multiple certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), including Basic Structural Firefighter, Basic Fire Inspector, Basic Fire Investigator, Plans Examiner, TCFP Instructor I, TCFP Fire & Life Safety Educator I, TCFP Fire Officer I, and Basic Fire Marshal. He is also working toward his Bachelor’s in Fire Administration, focusing on Fire Investigation.
He specializes in fire prevention, inspection, plan review, and education. Philip is fluent in both English and Spanish and is committed to improving UH Community safety through proactive education, prevention, and helping meet UH strategic initiatives.
Stuart Sherman – Assistant Fire Marshal - Victoria Campus
Stuart started his firefighting career with the Midland, Texas Fire Department in 1986. There his assignments included; Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Inspector, Arson Investigator, Fire Instructor, and he carried the rank of Captain. Stuart carried his training to the Victoria Fire Dept., where he carried the rank of Fire Marshal. After his retirement from Victoria, he joined the Texas Commission in Fire Protection as a compliance officer and then moved into the oilfield as a safety officer. Stuart began his tenure at the University of Houston-Victoria in 2016 as the Assistant Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager. Stuart holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management. Stuart graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds state certifications of Firefighter, Fire Investigator, Arson Investigator, Fire Inspector, Instructor, and Peace Officer.
TBD – Deputy Fire Marshal #711
Sara Alexander – Deputy Fire Marshal #712
Sara started at the University of Houston in March 2023 as a Fire Safety Technician. She graduated in 2021 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, where she contributed to tuberculosis research. She previously worked as a Pastry Chef. In the technician role, she managed the AED program by inspecting, installing, and maintaining AEDs across campus. She kickstarted an off-campus fire safety training course for nearby apartments and helped complete the state-mandated fire door survey for UH. She has certifications for Swinging Fire Door Inspection, Fire and Life Safety Educator 1, Basic Fire Inspector 1, and FEMA ICS-100. In addition to her current role, she manages the social media for FLS, assists in instructing the CPR/AED course, and assists in instructing the CERT course.
Ernest Johnson – Deputy Fire Marshal #714
Ernest has been in the fire service and public safety for over 37 years, joining the Houston Fire Department in 1983. Ernest moved through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Inspector before coming to the University of Houston and serving as a Deputy Fire Marshal. During his time with the Houston Fire Department, he served in various roles including a firefighter, engineer operator, paramedic, paramedic preceptor, paramedic skills instructor, and fire inspector. While working for the Houston Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office, Ernest was on the Special Operations Inspections Team and was responsible for pyrotechnic, conventions, and special events. He has also worked closely with the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Special Events to help ensure public safety for events such as Freedom Over Texas and the Super Bowl. He holds several state certifications including Structural Firefighter, Fire Inspector, Paramedic (EMT-P), Pyrotechnic Operator, Flame Effects Operator, and Special Effects Operator.
David Harrison – Fire Safety Technician #721
David has proudly served as a Fire Service Technician for the University of Houston Since July 2022. His journey in the fire service industry started in his hometown of Utica, New York, as a Service Technician for ABC Fire Extinguisher Co. LLC, and continued in Fort Lauderdale, Florida employed for Broward Fire Equipment, where he was responsible for performing annual fire and safety equipment inspections and general maintenance of fire suppression and safety equipment. His proficiencies include high and low-pressure compressed gas cylinder pressure testing, installation and service of fire suppression systems & equipment, and repair of compressed gas valves. He attained certification for Hydrostatic Testing of high- and low-pressure compressed gas vessels, tanks, and hoses, from Hydro-Test Products, Inc. of Stow, Massachusetts. David graduated from Builders Academy of Houston, Texas, in 2020, earning two diplomas - for Real Estate Inspection and Residential Construction Professional Builder.
TBD – Fire Safety Technician #722
Christina Martinez – Health Inspector #731
A native Houstonian, Christina began working for the University of Houston in 2011 as a student worker for the UH Police Department. After receiving her BS in Mathematical Biology, Christina continued working for the UH Police Department before moving to the UH Fire Marshal’s Office in 2015 as a Food Safety Specialist. As a Food Safety Specialist, Christina ensures all dining locations on campus are compliant with the Texas Food Establishment Rules. She also oversees the temporary food dealer’s permits, which include bake sales and student-run events. In addition, Christina has volunteered for the campus events Cougar First Impressions and March of Dimes.
Latoya Mathis – Health Inspector #732
Latoya is a Food Safety Specialist with the UH Fire and Life Safety Department. She is a native of Waelder, Texas, where she spent several years in the food industry as a Dietary Account Manager and a Cafeteria Manager. Latoya received her Bachelor’s in Dietetics and Human Food Nutrition at Prairie View A&M University. Latoya is a certified food manager.
Karla Acosta – Health Inspector #733